This is a Yu-Gi-Oh, fic. Yay! o.o It takes place after Battle City, but I've decided to pretend everything after that never happened, at least not yet. Hey, I needed a place to stick the setting, alright? Kazuki Takahashi owns Yu-Gi-Oh, and all of its characters. I take no claim over them.

EDIT: (Malik's name has been changed to Malik. Yami Marik's name has been changed to Marik. Yami Yugi's name has been changed to Yami.)

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Yugi finished freeing the boy's ankles, offering him a hand to help him up. Malik steadied the older boy once he got to his feet, looping an arm around the boy's shoulders and letting him use his body for support. The boy took the invitation, leaning against Malik slightly and placing his right hand on Malik's left shoulder. Looking down to the ground, the boy tried to recover. "Let's get out of here. We'll get back to the others and we can figure out what to do," Yugi offered. Malik nodded, it seemed to be a good idea.

"Where's Yugi? He's been Ga'n for foreva'!" Joey grumbled. The gang had finished eating and now hung around outside the ice cream parlor, waiting on Yugi and possibly Malik. It was Tristan who first spotted Yugi coming their way with Malik and someone else, "There they are!" Tristan pointed toward the approaching trio, causing Joey and the others to turn their heads. "Something's wrong," Tea observed, "They've got somebody with them who looks hurt. "Well, let's go check it out then, eh?" Joey jogged off toward Malik and Yugi, the others soon following.

Malik stopped walking, glancing worriedly to the limping boy beside him. Yugi brightened up, seeing his friends nearby, "Hey guys!" Tea reached Yugi first, "Hey Yugi! What happened? Who's he?" Tristan, Serenity, and Joey appeared beside Tea, the same question written on each of their faces. The older boy straightened up some, standing on his own and removing his hand from Malik's shoulder. Malik was the first to respond, "Someone caught my attention and I followed them. Yugi helped me rescue this guy." Malik motioned to the older boy.

Joey looked at the strange boy and suddenly blurted something obvious, "He's got the same get-up as you, what gives, Malik?" Indeed the other did wear fairly similar attire, along with golden armlets and bracers. His ears even sported dangling earrings. "I don't know...He hasn't even said his name...I don't think he can yet," Malik said knowingly as the boy wavered on his feet, causing Malik to steady him again. The boy could see clearer now, and he didn't like what he saw. Familiar now, the faces around him disgusted him deeply. Though calm on his exterior, rage began to build up inside of him. A pounding headache told him not to speak now, and a numbed jaw made sure he didn't even try.

"I'm going to take him home with me," Malik said matter-of-factly, "He needs somewhere to stay." Yugi nodded, "Well, ok, if you're sure." He was tempted for a split second to ask Malik if his parents would mind the fact that he was bringing a person home, but he quickly remembered that Malik's parents were both long since dead and the thought vanished, leaving Yugi embarrassed. Tea frowned slightly, "Let us know when he gets better, ok? In fact, I'll stop by tomorrow and check on him, is that alright?" Tea seemed a bit worried, and she had every right too. She never liked to see someone in pain. The boy heard this in her voice; her flaw.

Malik smiled a bit, "Ok, thanks, I'm sure he'll appreciate that. Well, I'll get him to my place for some rest...I'll see you all later." Malik said as he led the boy toward where he'd left his motorcycle last. Malik took a few seconds to explain to the boy that he'd need to hold on tight so he wouldn't fall off the bike. In return he got a nod, and they were headed off to Malik's home soon after. Yugi watched them leave together, his thoughts suddenly interrupted by a voice in his head, ~Yugi...I don't like him...~ "Who?" Yugi asked his other half softly. ~That boy...He doesn't feel right...~

The motorcycle screeched to a halt in the garage of a modest but well-kept house. This was no palace, but it felt like one to Malik. Though he could live anywhere he chose; this comfortable little house did it for him. Activating the kickstand of his bike, Malik eased himself off of his prized possession, running his hand gently over her handlebars. After a second more of admiration, Malik helped his passenger off the motorbike.

In silence, the two entered the house through a door in the garage, taking them up a small incline of three stairs. The older boy looked around the house as Malik gave him a small tour, "And if you need anything, I'll try to be available." It was odd, this behavior, even to Malik himself. Normally his home was his sanctuary, one he rarely let anyone penetrate. But this boy was possibly an unknown family member and had to be treated with respect.

Malik then showed The boy to a guest bedroom. The walls were white with a blue painted ceiling and navy carpet covered floor. Blue seemed to be the color scheme for the entire thing, blue and white. The combination made the room seem to glow with comfort. The boy went ahead and sat at the foot of the bed at the far wall of the room. He ran a hand over the soft robin's egg comforter, acting as if he'd never felt anything like it before. His expression was one of surprise, "Hikari..?" The boy winced, even speaking a single word sent vibrations through his head that only worsened his condition.

Malik became confused. "Light?" Perhaps the boy referred to the color of the room? Malik tried to respond to the boy, "Yes...I like light colors, that's why I had the room painted this way. It really brings out the-" "No." The boy interrupted, looking at Malik. "You...Malik...Hikari..." Each word was obviously causing pain. Though Malik didn't understand those particular words, he saw their effects, "Stop talking, it's hurting you. And I think you're delirious." The boy shook his head, probably not a good idea. He stood and took a step forward, "No, I know...what I'm saying. And...And you are my.." He then promptly passed out, falling backwards onto the bed. Malik rushed over to the boy, checking for a pulse. He was sleeping...Good. Malik eased the boy further up the bed, pulling the comforters over him, "You crazy fool..." Malik sneered down at him. "...Sleep well anyway." Malik added quickly, leaving the room.